So I have several thousand saved for a killer system but need some advice. Its been years sense I have been in the stereo game so lots have changed. I know I want either a Pioneer or Kenwood Head Unit. With that being said, what amps, subs, tweeters, speakers should I look into. I want a screaming and thumping system that will last me a few years. I dont listen to much rap so I really dont wanna rattle the inside of my truck apart but if the power is there then I wont complain. Thanks guys!

 

Doing the install yourself? If not take half your budget and allocate it to a shop install.

What is your budget for amps and speakers? Basically, how far down the rabbit hole are you willing to go?

Do you plan on making any custom fiberglass enclosures for the speakers or are you planning on using the factory install locations?

How about sub enclosure. Making your own or buying a prefab? Want any space available under the back seat?

 

Hmmmm.....

Several thousand $ ?

I'm pretty darn happy with mine, and I've probably spent less than $3K all total..... But then I bought a lot of my stuff "gray market" (not factory authorized, which is why my amp with an MSRP of $1499, cost me $499) and also, I did a TON of the construction myself.

I think for a person to roll into a stereo shop, with a totally stock F150, and tell them, I want one just like Fish has, (I mean, if the shop had to install the rear wall, floor, and everything else I did) it might cost about $7K.

But anyway, my first question would be, are you more of an SPL (loud) kinda' guy ? ....or an SQ (sound quality) guy..... Or, like myself, somewhere in between (SQL) ?

IMPO, it's pretty easy (and cheaper) to make a really loud system, than it is to make a super SQ system.

Peace,
Fish

PS, I wish I had several thousand $ to design and build and a system for my car now, too .......but then, if my ears didn't get a break from my truck, I'd probably already be completely def.....

 

As for the install. I've never done anything more than a few head units. My budget is around $5k.

 

Well Fish, I like to listen to my music pretty damn loud but I want the crispness of the tweeters and the thump of the subs. As far as buying the items. I will probably buy everything individually online for the best price and take it to a shop and have them install it unless I have the time to do it myself.

 

Quick question about your truck. SuperCab, SuperCrew, or standard cab?

If a Super do you want a functional back seat or are you wanting something like Fish.

I am going to throw some links out there for speakers and amps. With the speakers you could have a better set by getting individual components but then the complexity goes up exponentially. Because of that, I am just presenting boxed component sets.

All are top quality but with the speakers I would highly recommend trying find a place that you can actually listen to them. But remember that they will sound different in a car.

For example Focal are known for being very "musical". Some people think they are to bright.



6.5 Front components.
Dynaudio
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-5546-eso...-speakers.aspx

Focal
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-3400-165...omponents.aspx

Morel
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-4756-hyb...nt-system.aspx

Hertz
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9613-hsk...-speakers.aspx

Rainbow
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-7109-cs-...nt-system.aspx


Amps
Check out Zed Audio. Very powerful and lot of flexibility
http://www.zedaudiocorp.com

I think Rainbow amps are just beautiful.
http://www.woofersetc.com/c-3-amplif...facturerid=125

Sundown for raw power.
http://www.woofersetc.com/c-3-amplif...facturerid=134

DD for more of a SPL setup.
http://www.ddaudio.com/mobile-audio/amplifiers.aspx

 

Well the last speakers I had where Kenwoods. And I really liked the sound they had. As for my truck its a SuperCrew.

 

Check out HAT and Audible Physics as well. Langlowe has got you on the right track. With $5k you should have a good budget for what you want. Unless you want a seat lift, look into shallow mounts such as the SI BM mkIII (hard to find) and Alpines new shallow mount for 12s

 

Never heard of any of those brands. Im more familier with Kicker, JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate etc.

 

Ahhh...can't believe I forgot Hybrid Audio and Audible Physics.


While there is nothing wrong with those brands there are better for your budget.
JL is good but pricey. Paying for the name. IMO Speakers sound a little "flat"
Kicker makes decent sub amps.
Rockford Fosgate has a strong following with their top of the line offerings in amps and subs.

Here is a quick equipment list that I think would rock. I added Arc Audio to the amp list. I like them but they can be like JL Audio. Paying extra for the name.

Keep in mind I didn't put a SI BM MKIII in the list not because I don't like it, I have two and will never get rid of them, but because they just can't not be found right now. Not even on the used market. This week there was a pair of used MKIIIs that showed up for sale on diymobileaudio.com and they sold in less than 20 minutes. For $50 more than the initial offering price no less.

Front stage
HAT Legatia L6 and L1V2
http://store.12velectronics.com/prod...eaker-Set.html

HAT passive crossover would make them easier to install.
http://store.12velectronics.com/prod...Crossover.html

ZED Audio Draconia II
http://www.zedaudiocorp.com/index.ph...aconia-ii.html
or
Arc Audio KS300.2
http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescr...ies/ks3002.asp



Sub stage
x2 Alpine SWR-T12
http://www.alpine-usa.com/product/view/swr-t12/

Zed Audio Minotaur
http://www.zedaudiocorp.com/index.ph.../minotaur.html
or
Arc Audio KS1200.1
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-10002-ks...amplifier.aspx


1/0 Wiring Kit from KnuKoncepts
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDe...rodID=KFX-PK20

 

Arcs new black series is supposed to be amazing. Haven't seen too many specs on them but the guy who designed the SS Revelators designed them.

 

Mdavis, Langlowe asked a very important question... I think you missed it >

{note: in all the time I've owned my truck, or the two trucks before it, I've never had a seating problem... My seat is ALWAYS the one on the front left LOL}

If you want to keep back seats, it will really put a squeeze on how much bass you can make, from a smallish, sealed box under the seat, or something between the front seats.
I do think you can make plenty of bass for an SQ setup, while keeping your back seats, however, you kind of sound like somewhat of an SQL guy (like myself). For lots of bass, nothing beats big subs (or multiple subs), in big enclosures, ported.

Oh hey Langlow, you said "two bright"...... would that be the same thing as "bright, X's 2" ? LOL

Oh, but one other thought....
As far as all of the speakers these guys have suggested, yea, they are probably all fine speakers, especially for your "good sized" budget.
However, IMPO, decent mid-level speakers (which is probably what I'd call my Polk Audio component sets... about $100 a set.... love the soft dome tweeters) > set up correctly, with plenty of power, and properly crossed over < will sound night and day better, than any of those uber expensive speakers > if not set up properly, or if driven beyond the available power, or improperly crossed over. <

Anyway, I'm so envious of your stereo budget ! I'd love to design and setup a whole new system for my car ! .....but then again, I could probably find a way to spend $5K more on my truck system !

Peace,
Fish

 

Install is 90% of sound quality. Fish said it right, you need to deaden the doors as much as possible with sheet metal and sound deadener. Use CLD, MLV and CCF to be fully effective. When aiming tweeters, test a lot of different spots in order to find out the best placement for them for imaging and sound quality

 

Yeah I will be keeping the back seat for the kids.

 

jon and Fish are 100% correct. A bad install will make the best speakers sound like crap. While a very good install with sealed and deadened doors along with decoupling the speakers from the door itself will make all the difference in the world.

I can relate to the kids in the back. You are looking at fitting subs under the back seat or having a custom console of some type made. I think with the Alpines and enough power you can get a low end sound that would suffice. It will not be anything like Fish but would be enough to make you giggle.

I don't get loud and low that often but when I do my two MKIIIs, all SQ not SQL, can make all kinds of things rattle and vibrate.

Fish,
I fixed the "two". :o

two too to, there their the're, where we're wear. I sometimes wonder about the English language.